Smoking Article

ABSTRACT

A smoking article can comprise a rod of smokeable material and a first sheet material comprising at least one diluent. The diluent is present in an amount effective to dilute emissions from the rod of smokeable material during combustion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a smoking article including a wrappedrod of smoking material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some smoking articles comprise a rod of smoking material having an outerwrapper and a sheet or wrap disposed between the rod of smoking materialand the outer wrapper.

For example, WO 2005/082180 discloses smoking articles comprising a rodof smoking material with a wrapper about the rod and a web of materialcomprising an adsorbent material and a flavourant, the web materialbeing positioned between the rod of smoking material and the wrapper.

WO 2006/023281 and WO 2006/014995 disclose cigarettes comprising atobacco column surrounded by an outer wrap paper, and a partial innerwrap extending longitudinally of the tobacco column. The inner wrapmaterial may contain a humectant.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,190 discloses smoking articles comprising a rod ofsmoking material wrapped in a wrapping material. The wrapping materialcomprises a base sheet having a major surface and a plurality of bandsapplied to that major surface in the form of a pattern, each bandpossessing at least two web material layers with at least one of the webmaterial layers incorporating a flavourant. The wrapping material mayhave a coating applied thereto which coating may contain a humectant,for example 1-5% humectant by weight of the coating composition.

US 2003/0178039 discloses cigarettes comprising a smokable materialwrapped in a circumscribing wrapping material to form a smokable rod.The circumscribing wrapping material may comprise a humectant up to 10%by weight. However, there is no disclosure of the use of adsorbent insuch wrapping material.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,243 discloses cigarettes which comprise a rod havingan inner segment of smokable material, a covering for the inner segment,an outer segment of smokable material and a covering for the outersegment. However, there is no disclosure as to the use of adsorbent inthe coverings.

However, despite these teachings there remains in the art a need forproviding improved smoking articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved smoking article.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a smoking article,comprises:

a rod of smokeable material; anda first sheet material comprising at least one diluent,wherein said diluent is present in an amount effective to diluteemissions from the rod of smokeable material during combustion.

The at least one diluent is preferably present in the first sheetmaterial in an amount of from about 5 to 80% by weight of the sheetmaterial, preferably from about 5 to 70%, more preferably from about 10to 60%, more preferably from about 20 to 50%. Preferably, the diluent isat least one aerosol forming agent selected from the group consistingof: polyhydric alcohols, glycerol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol,esters, triethyl citrate, triacetin, high boiling point hydrocarbons,non-polyols, glycols, sorbitol, and lactic acid. Triacetin isparticularly preferred.

Preferably, said first sheet material further comprises at least onediluent stabilising means and/or at least one adsorbent. Said diluentstabilising means or adsorbent is preferably an integral componentwithin the first sheet material. Preferably, said diluent stabilisingmeans or adsorbent is selected from the group consisting of zeolite,sepiolite, clay, silica gel, activated alumina, minerals, resin, andcarbon, and particularly preferably the adsorbent is activated carbon.The activated carbon may preferably be in granular, powder orparticulate form and have a mean particle size of less than 250 μm,preferably less than 100 μm, preferably less than 50 μm, preferably lessthan 20 μm. The activated carbon may have any level of activity andgenerally a higher activity carbon is beneficial. Preferably, theactivated carbon has an activity level of 30-180% carbon tetrachloride,and more preferably 60-120%.

Preferably, the adsorbent or diluent stabilising means has a loadinglevel less than 80% by weight of the first sheet material, preferablyless than 50%, more preferably between about 10 to 45%.

The smoking article may have a number of configurations. In oneembodiment the first sheet material extends over the entire length ofthe rod of smokeable material and is wrapped around the outside of therod of smokeable material. In this embodiment, the first sheet materialcontains the diluent and acts as a wrapper providing support for the rodof smokeable material.

In another embodiment, the smoking article further comprises a secondsheet material which preferably does not contain diluent, wherein saidsecond sheet material is wrapped around the entire length of the rod ofsmokeable material. Thus the second sheet material acts as a wrapper forthe smoking article, providing support for the rod of smokeablematerial. When the second sheet material is provided, the first sheetmaterial may also extend over the entire length of the rod of smokeablematerial, or may extend only over a portion or a plurality of discreteportions of the length of the rod of smokeable material as the secondsheet material is present as a wrapper to provide the mechanical supportfor the rod of smokeable material. The use and positioning of smallerportions will provide flexibility of cigarette design by impacting onwrapper diffusivity, tar propensity and diluent release.

If both first and second sheet material layers are provided, the secondsheet material is preferably located outside said first sheet materialrelative to the axis of the rod of smokeable material. In oneembodiment, the first sheet material is positioned directly between saidrod of smokeable material and said second sheet material. In anotherembodiment, the first sheet material is located inside the rod ofsmokeable material, such that smokeable material is positioned betweenthe first sheet material and the second sheet material which acts as anouter wrapper, in a co-axial arrangement. The first sheet material maybe rolled (in a “Swiss-roll” type arrangement of twisted spillarrangement in which a rolled/twisted spill of paper is provided in thecentre of the rod) and located within the rod of smokeable materialco-axially with the second sheet material.

Preferably, at least one of said first and second sheet materials has athickness of from 20 to 300 μm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In order that the subject invention may be easily understood and readilycarried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, tothe accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1-8 show enlarged cross-sectional side views of smoking articlesincorporating the present invention;

FIGS. 9-11 show enlarged views from the non-filter end of a smokingarticle according to the invention; and

FIG. 12 shows an exploded perspective view of a smoking articleincorporating the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant has now found that, if a smoking article is produced includinga rod of smoking material and a first sheet material comprisingdiluent(s) and optional adsorbent(s) and/or diluent stabilising means,the ratio of smoke components arising from the smoking material to totaltar yield is reduced by dilution through eluted diluent. Also, levels ofsmoke components arising from the smoking material may be reduced by thepresence of the first smoking material. In addition to providing amedium for containing the diluent, the first sheet material mayadditionally act as a wrapper, enwrapping the entire length of the rodof smoking material so that no additional wrapper is required.Alternatively, a second sheet material may additionally be provided. Ifa second sheet material forms a wrapper outside the first sheetmaterial, applicant has found that the presence of diluent(s) in thefirst sheet material does not lead to unsightly spotting of the secondsheet material.

Thus a new and inventive solution to the ongoing problem of the priorart, trying to improve upon known smokable materials, has beenelucidated.

If present, the second sheet material may be a wrapper materialcomprising a web or cast material known to those skilled in the art, forexample cellulosic paper web or reconstituted tobacco sheet material. Itmay incorporate a coating, treatment, or chemical modification such asthose intended to reduce sidestream smoke or lower ignition propensity.The second sheet material may be with or without fillers that may or maynot be adsorbents and/or diluent stabilising means.

It is typically the case that wrapper materials are continuous about theouter circumference of a smoking material rod. Generally, the ends ofthe rod are not provided with wrapper material; however, such aconfiguration would still fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

The second sheet material may have a thickness from 5 to 500 μm, forexample 10 to 300 μm or 20 to 60 μm.

The first sheet material may be any web material known to those skilledin the art, for example cellulosic paper web or reconstituted tobaccosheet materials. It may incorporate a coating, treatment, or chemicalmodification. The first sheet material may be provided with fillers. Itmay include adsorbents and/or diluent stabilising means.

According to various embodiments, the first sheet material may becoextensive with the second sheet material, or it may only be providedat one or more discrete portions of the length of the smoking materialrod. The first sheet material may be located between the second sheetmaterial and the smokeable material, which could be referred to as‘inside’ the second sheet material, or it may be provided on the surfaceof the second sheet material opposite the smokable material, or‘outside’ the second sheet material. According to an embodiment thefirst sheet material forms a single patch which extends over only a partof the inner surface of the second sheet material, around the whole ofthe circumference.

When the first sheet material is in the form of a plurality of portionsor patches, such patches may be in any form. For example, such patchesmay be in the form of a plurality of bands which are spaced in thelongitudinal direction of the smoking material rod. Alternatively, suchpatches may be in the form of circumferentially spaced strips whichextend along the whole or a part of the length of the smoking materialrod. Still further, the patches may be a combination of such bands andstrips. Said combination of bands and strips may be located on theinner, outer or both surfaces of the second sheet material.

Where more than one sheet material is used within the said smokingarticle, for example where a plurality of strips, patches or full wrapsexists, each of the sheet materials may be the same or different incomposition from any of the other sheet materials.

The first sheet material may have a thickness from 5 to 500 μm, forexample 10 to 300 μm or 20 to 60 μm. However, materials having a greaterthickness may be used in some configurations, for example longitudinallyextending strips.

The first sheet material comprises one or more diluents. Theincorporation of diluents allows the production of a smoking articlewhich, upon smoking, generates an aerosol comprising smokablematerial-derived smoke, e.g. tobacco smoke, and one or more eluteddiluents.

Suitable diluents for use in the first sheet material include aerosolforming means utilising a wide range of classes of substances known tothose skilled in the art. For example, polyhydric alcohols, such asglycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol and triethylene glycol; esters,such as diacetin, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate or triacetin,high boiling point hydrocarbons, or lactic acid. A combination ofdiluents may be used, in equal or differing proportions. Preferably, thediluent is triacetin, triethyl citrate or isopropyl myristate.

The diluent(s), and, where present, adsorbent material and/or diluentstabilising means may be provided in any suitable form. Examples includeliquids and solids, such as in granular, powder, crystalline or otherparticulate forms, e.g. nanoparticles, molecular cage structures,clathrates.

The one or more adsorbent material and/or diluent stabilising means maybe selected from any suitable material as known to skilled workers.Examples include zeolite, sepiolite, clay, activated alumina, minerals,resins, silica gel and carbon. In preferred embodiments, the adsorbentmaterial and/or diluent stabilising means is carbon, such as activatedcarbon. Where activated carbon is used, the activation level can bemeasured by evaluating the percent carbon tetrachloride (CTC) as isknown in the art. Briefly, carbon is weighed, exposed to CTC and thenthe weight of the carbon remeasured. The increase in weight of thecarbon is calculated as a percentage.

For optimum use in the present invention, the activated carbon willpreferably have a high activity and may have an activity of up to 180%CTC. More preferably the carbon has an activity of 40-160% CTC. Inconnection with selection of the one or more adsorbent material ordiluent stabilising means, it is to be understood that the adsorbent(s)or diluent stabilising means present in the first sheet material layer,may be the same or different in each of such web material layers. Thatis, where a plurality of web material layers, strips, or bands is used,the adsorbent(s) and/or diluent stabilising means or combinations ofadsorbent(s) and/or diluent stabilising means may be the same ordifferent in each web material layer, strip, or band.

A first sheet material comprising one or more adsorbent material and/ordiluent stabilising means may be in the form of a paper containingactivated carbon.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the rod of smokeablematerial comprises a central core of smokable material, fully wrappedalong its length, with an annular rod of smoking material enwrapping thecentral core. The central core may be wrapped in the first sheetmaterial along its entire length, or may be wrapped in a third sheetmaterial having portions of first sheet material supported by the thirdsheet material, either inside or outside the first sheet material. Thethird sheet material used to wrap the central core may be the same ordifferent from that of the second sheet material which enwraps theannular rod of smoking material. The smoking article may further includeportions of first sheet material which may be bands, strips or acombination thereof located on the inner, outer or both surfaces of thesecond sheet material enwrapping the annular rod of smoking material.

The smokeable material, whether a solid rod or central core with annularrod, can be any smokeable material as is considered appropriate in theart. For example, it may be a tobacco-containing smoking material, amodified tobacco smoking material, e.g. expanded tobacco, extractedtobacco, physically, chemically and/or biochemically modified tobacco ora non-tobacco-containing smoking material. It may be a foamed and/orextruded material. Preferably, the smoking material is atobacco-containing material in combination with non-tobacco smokingmaterial, or comprised solely of a tobacco material. Suitably, thetobacco material comprises one or more of stem, lamina and tobacco dust.An example of a tobacco material is one containing one or more of thefollowing tobacco types: Virginia or flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco,Oriental tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, stem and modified tobacco.Preferably, the smoking material comprises a blend of tobacco materialor a blend of tobacco material and non-tobacco material. Where present,a central core may contain a different smokable material from that inthe annular rod.

The smoking article may additionally comprise a filter element locatedat one end of the smoking material rod. Such filter element may, forexample, comprise an adsorbent material. The filter element may be amultiple filter comprising multiple sections such as, for example, adual or triple filter. Suitable filters are well known to those skilledin the art. Such filters known in the art include Dalmatian filters inwhich a particulate adsorbent material is interspersed in fibrous filtermaterial, for example fibrous cellulosic material, and cavity filters inwhich a cavity portion of the multi-segment filter contains adsorbentmaterial.

The smoking article according to the present invention, can be readilyprepared by techniques known in the art.

As noted above, FIGS. 1-8 show enlarged cross-sectional side views ofsmoking articles of the present invention. Like materials or structuresare represented by the same reference numeral in the various figures.

FIG. 1 shows a smoking article 10 comprising a rod of smokeable material11 encased in a first sheet material 13 and a wrapper comprising asecond sheet material 12. The second sheet material 12 extendsapproximately over the entire circumferential surface of rod ofsmokeable material 11. In the FIG. 1 embodiment the first sheet material13 is located along approximately the entire inner surface of the secondsheet material 12, separating second sheet material 12 from rod ofsmokable material 11.

In an alternative embodiment, if the first sheet material 13 hassuitable strength and rigidity to support the rod of smoking material11, the second sheet material 12 may be omitted, so that the first sheetmaterial 12 extends along the entire length of the rod of smokeablematerial 11 and acts both as a wrapper and a diluent containing medium.

The FIG. 1 smoking article has a general cigarette form, meaning afilter rod 14 is provided. Filter rod 14 is enwrapped in plug wrap 15and the wrapped filter rod is joined to the wrapped smokable materialrod with tipping paper 16. The component materials and preparation offilter rod 14, plug wrap 15, and tipping paper 16, are conventional asis well known in the art.

FIG. 2 shows a smoking article 10 having a first sheet material 13located between a second sheet material 12 and a rod of smokeablematerial 11. In this embodiment, the first sheet material 13 is in theform of a patch covering a portion of the circumferential andlongitudinal length of rod of smokeable material 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, first sheet material 13 is providedas a plurality of patches, some at the filter rod 14 end of the rod ofsmokeable material 11, some opposite the filter rod 14 end.

The schematic of FIG. 4 shows a smoking article 10 having a first sheetmaterial 13 located outside the second sheet material 12. That is, thesecond sheet material 12 is positioned between a rod of smokeablematerial 11 and the first sheet material 13. In this embodiment, thefirst sheet material 13 covers approximately the entire outer surface ofwrapper 12.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment having a circumferential filter end patch offirst sheet material 13 positioned outside the second sheet material 12.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 represent smoking articles 10having a co-axial core of smokeable material 17 positioned within therod of smokeable material 11. In FIGS. 6 and 7 the core of smokeablematerial 17 is wrapped in first sheet material 13 which extends alongthe entire length of the rod of smokeable material 11.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a smoking article has theconfiguration shown in FIG. 6, with a co-axial core of smokeablematerial 17 positioned within the rod of smokeable material 11, but inthis embodiment both the inner wrapper and the outer wrapper are formedfrom diluent containing first sheet material.

In FIG. 8 the core of smokeable material 17 is wrapped in a third sheetmaterial which may be the same as the second sheet material 12. Patchesof first sheet material 13 are provided both around the outercircumference of the third sheet material positioned about core ofsmokeable material 17 and between rod of smokeable material 11 and thesecond sheet material 12 around the outer circumference of rod ofsmokeable material 11.

FIGS. 9-11 show enlarged views from the non-filter end of a smokingarticle. FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 10 shows theembodiment of FIG. 3, and FIG. 11 shows the embodiment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded perspective view of a smoking article 10having a rod of smokeable material 11 and a filter rod 14, the rod ofsmokeable material 11 being provided with a patch of first sheetmaterial 13 at the filter rod 14 end, as well as second sheet material12 provided outside the entire length of rod of smokeable material 11.Plug wrap 15 and tipping paper 16 are provided.

Example 1

Cigarettes were manufactured having a 56 mm tobacco rod and a 27 mmcellulose acetate filter with a circumference of 24.6 mm. The cigaretteshad no tip ventilation. Specifications for the second sheet materialwrapping the tobacco rod was paper comprising of mixed fibres and having50 CU permeability and 2% potassium citrate (burn additive).

The tobacco rod comprised a blend of flue cured Virginia and burleylamina tobacco.

A layer of first sheet material containing activated carbon was providedaround the full length and circumference of the tobacco rod. On theoutside of the first sheet material a wrapper of second sheet materialwas provided around the full length and circumference of the tobaccorod. A schematic showing a similar cigarette design is shown in FIG. 1.

The carbon-containing first sheet material included 39% fibre and 36%activated carbon. The activated carbon had a carbon tetrachloride (CTC)activity of 100%.

Four different levels of triacetin diluent were provided to the carbonpaper. First, a control level was manufactured with non-impregnatedcarbon-containing paper. Test levels included papers impregnated with10, 19, or 28 mg/cigarette of triacetin.

Approximately two weeks after manufacture the level of triacetin in thesmoke was measured (Table 1) and the dilution was calculated (Table 2).The dilution was calculated as [triacetin in smoke(mg/cigarette)/Nicotine free dry particulate matter (mg/cigarette)]×100.The cigarettes were stored at 22° C. and 60% relative and the analyseswere repeated at 3 months and 6 months (Tables 1 and 2) showing thetriacetin was stable in the cigarettes.

TABLE 1 Triacetin in smoke (mg/cigarette) Initial Triacetin Triacetin insmoke loading (mg/cigarette) (mg/cigarette) Start 3 months 6 months  00.3 0.2 0.3 10 0.5 0.5 0.5 19 0.9 0.9 0.9 28 1.4 1.3 1.3

It is noted that while the control level did not have triacetin diluentin the sheet material, triacetin is present in the cellulose acetatecigarette filters as were used here, accounting for the triacetin levelsmeasured in the control products.

TABLE 2 Smoke Dilution (%) Initial Triacetin loading Smoke Dilution (%)(mg/cigarette) Start 3 months 6 months  0  3.0  3.0  3.7 10  5.7  6.0 6.5 19 10.0 10.3 11.6 28 14.7 14.4 14.4

Visual assessment of the cigarettes showed them to be free fromunsightly spots throughout the duration of the study.

Example 2

Cigarettes were manufactured which had a 56 mm tobacco rod and a 27 mmcellulose acetate filter with a circumference of 24.6 mm. Specificationsfor the second sheet material wrapping the tobacco rod was papercomprising mixed fibres and having 50 CU permeability and 2% potassiumcitrate (burn additive). The tobacco rod comprised a blend of flue curedVirginia and burley lamina tobacco.

A 56 mm long tobacco rod having a 16 mm circumference was wrapped with acarbon containing first sheet material and located longitudinally withinthe centre of the cigarette tobacco rod. The carbon containing firstsheet material included 39% fibre and 36% activated carbon. Theactivated carbon had a carbon tetrachloride (CTC) activity of 100%.

The test cigarette design included impregnation of 16 mg triacetin inthe carbon containing first sheet material. A control level wasmanufactured which was identical but for non-impregnated carboncontaining sheet. A schematic showing a similar cigarette design isshown in FIG. 6.

The sample and control cigarettes were tip ventilated to give a nicotinefree, dry particulate matter yield of 6 mg/cigarette. The level oftriacetin in the smoke and the dilution were obtained (Table 3). Thedilution was calculated as [triacetin in smoke (mg/cigarette)/Nicotinefree dry particulate matter (mg/cigarette)]×100. As is evident from thefollowing data, the test cigarette of Example 2 achieved over 22%dilution of smoke.

TABLE 3 Results of Analysis Triacetin in smoke Smoke Dilution Cigarette(mg/cigarette) (%) Control 0.28 4.7 Sample 1.28 22.5 

Visual assessment of the cigarettes showed them to be free fromunsightly spots.

The foregoing description and examples have been set forth merely toillustrate the invention and are not intended to be limiting. Sincemodifications of the described embodiments incorporating the spirit andsubstance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, theinvention should be construed broadly to include all variations withinthe scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

1. A smoking article, comprising: a rod of smokeable material; and asheet material comprising at least one diluent and at least oneadsorbent, wherein said at least one diluent is present in an amounteffective to dilute emissions from the rod of smokeable material duringcombustion.
 2. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the atleast one diluent is present in the sheet material in an amount of fromabout 5 to 80% by weight of the sheet material.
 3. The smoking articleaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one diluent is at least oneaerosol forming agent selected from a group consisting of: polyhydricalcohols, glycerol, propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, esters,triethyl citrate, triacetin, high boiling point hydrocarbons,non-polyols, glycols, sorbitol, and lactic acid.
 4. The smoking articleaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one adsorbent is an integralcomponent within the sheet material.
 5. The smoking article according toclaim 1, wherein said sheet material further comprises at least onediluent stabilizing means.
 6. The smoking article according to claim 5,wherein said at least one diluent stabilizing means is an integralcomponent within the sheet material.
 7. The smoking article according toclaim 5, wherein said at least one diluent stabilizing means is selectedfrom a group consisting of zeolite, sepiolite, clay, silica gel,activated alumina, minerals and resin.
 8. The smoking article accordingto claim 5, wherein the at least one diluent stabilizing means has aloading level less than 70% by weight of the sheet material.
 9. Thesmoking article according to claim 1, wherein at least one adsorbent isactivated carbon.
 10. The smoking article according to claim 9, whereinthe activated carbon is in granular, powder or particulate form and hasa mean particle size of less than 250 μm.
 11. The smoking articleaccording to claim 9, wherein the activated carbon has an activity levelof 30-180% carbon tetrachloride.
 12. The smoking article according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one adsorbent has a loading level lessthan 70% by weight of the sheet material.
 13. The smoking articleaccording to claim 1, wherein the sheet material is wrapped around thecircumference of the rod of smokeable material and extends along theentire length of the rod of smokeable material.
 14. A smoking articlecomprising: a rod of smokeable material; a first sheet materialcomprising at least one diluent, wherein said at least one diluent ispresent in an amount effective to dilute emissions from the rod ofsmokeable material during combustion; and a second sheet of materialwhich does not contain diluent, wherein said second sheet material iswrapped around the circumference of the rod of smokeable material andextends along the entire length of the rod of smokeable material. 15.The smoking article according to claim 14, wherein the first sheetmaterial extends over a portion of the length of the rod of smokeablematerial.
 16. The smoking article according to claim 14, wherein saidfirst sheet material extends over a plurality of separate portions ofthe length of the rod.
 17. The smoking article according to claim 14,wherein said second sheet material is located outside said first sheetmaterial relative to the axis of the rod of smokeable material.
 18. Thesmoking article according to claim 14, wherein the first sheet materialis positioned between said rod of smokeable material and said secondsheet material.
 19. The smoking article according to claim 14, whereinthe first sheet material is located inside the rod of smokeablematerial.
 20. The smoking article according to claim 19, wherein thefirst sheet material is rolled and located within the rod of smokeablematerial co-axially with the second sheet material.
 21. The smokingarticle according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said first andsecond sheet materials has a thickness of from 20 μm to 300 μm.
 22. Thesmoking article according to claim 1, wherein the at least one diluentis present in the sheet material in an amount of from about 5 to 70% byweight of the sheet material.
 23. The smoking article according to claim1, wherein the at least one diluent is present in the sheet material inan amount of from about 20 to 50% by weight of the sheet material. 24.The smoking article according to claim 5, wherein the at least onediluent stabilizing means has loading levels less than 50% by weight ofthe sheet material.
 25. The smoking article according to claim 5,wherein the at least one diluent stabilizing means has loading levelsbetween 10 to 45% by weight of the sheet material.
 26. The smokingarticle according to claim 9, wherein the activated carbon is ingranular, powder or particulate form and has a mean particle size ofless than 100 μm.
 27. The smoking article according to claim 9, whereinthe activated carbon is in granular, powder or particulate form and hasa mean particle size of less than 50 μm.
 28. The smoking articleaccording to claim 9, wherein the activated carbon is in granular,powder or particulate form and has a mean particle size of less than 20μm.
 29. The smoking article according to claim 9, wherein the activatedcarbon has an activity level of 60-120% carbon tetrachloride.
 30. Thesmoking article according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adsorbenthas a loading level less than 50% by weight of the sheet material. 31.The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneadsorbent has a loading level between 10-45% by weight of the sheetmaterial.